One week ago, the first Last Word of 2007 was looking pretty slim, with the holidays just wrapping up and a short work week (most companies in the US had January 1 off) ahead. While the week did start a little slower than normal, things quickly picked up as the week went on.

　　While many wondered who had won the next-gen console holiday race of 2006, one research firm set its sights on 2010. Research and Markets, a business analyst firm based out of Dublin, Ireland, released a brief that stated its opinion that the PlayStation 3 would be the market leader by 2010, with 75 million units sold worldwide. However, the company doesn't expect the new system to dominate like the PlayStation 2 did, mainly because of the Xbox 360's head start and the delay of the PS3's launch in Europe.

　　One retailer that would clearly benefit from 75 million PS3s sold is GameStop, which reported its sales from the 2006 holiday season. The last nine weeks of 2006 saw the retailer, which also owns EB Games, ring up $1.7 billion in revenue--a 29 percent jump from the same period in 2005.

　　Back in November, IDG World Expo revealed that it would be organizing a Los Angeles-based gaming convention. The only problem was that it didn't have a name. That changed today, as the organization revealed that the placeholder name of GamePro Expo had been replaced with the Entertainment for All Expo--a name chosen through a contest. The E for All Expo, as it will be known, takes place at the Los Angeles Convention Center October 18-20.

　　Tragedy struck a British family vacationing in Thailand this week when a 7-year-old boy was found dead in his hotel room. It is believed that the victim, Connor O'Keefe, was unplugging his Game Boy from a power socket when he was electrocuted. Police are calling the death an accident.

　　A bit of info may have leaked out of Microsoft headquarters. A photo of an HDMI-outfitted Xbox 360 found its way onto the Internet. Microsoft would not confirm the existence of the machine, but the source of the photo says an announcement will be made "soon." Perhaps not so coincidentally, the Consumer Electronics Show kicks off on Sunday, where Microsoft chairman Bill Gates will give a keynote address. Check back with GameSpot later this weekend for complete coverage of CES.

　　On the games front, Bungie and Microsoft revealed the final two ways to enter the coveted Halo 3 multiplayer beta test that begins this spring. Beta keys can be attained by playing three hours of Halo 2 on Xbox Live from February 1-3 then being one of the first 13,333 gamers who register at the Halo 3 Web site. Alternately, keys will be included in specially marked boxes of Crackdown, which goes on sale February 20.

　　Did someone say Crackdown? The game was also in the targets of German censors, who have refused to give the game a rating. Without a rating, the sales of the game will be very restricted, much like they were with two other Xbox 360 games, Dead Rising and Gears of War.

　　One game that should have no problem with sales anywhere is The Burning Crusade expansion to World of Warcraft. The game's collector's edition is getting plenty of attention on eBay, where sales of the sold-out $69.99 item are nearing $200 in some auctions. Those who do score a CE of The Burning Crusade will also be proud owners of a WOW-themed art book, a behind-the-scenes DVD, and--the big prize--an exclusive in-game pet.

　　Role-playing fans who prefer to adventure alone got some good news yesterday, when details of the first expansion pack to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion were released. Two UK PC gaming magazines spilled the beans on The Shivering Isles, an add-on that boosts Oblivion's game time by approximately 30 hours. However, Bethesda Softworks is not ready to announce what platforms the expansion is coming to, leaving PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners guessing about whether they'll get a shot at the new Realm of Madness.

　　The week also saw a few shake-ups on the business front in the industry. Human Head (Prey) CEO Tim Gerritsen decided to pack it up, as did Rare Ltd. (Viva Piñata, Perfect Dark Zero) cofounders Chris and Tim Stamper.

　　However, one departure in the industry hit a little closer to home. After a decade of work at GameSpot, editor-in-chief Greg Kasavin announced that he is leaving the site to pursue a career on the other side--game development. In a farewell blog post, Kasavin said, "My friends, family, and close colleagues have known that making games has always been my goal. But breaking into that business is hard, and I wasn't going to do it until I was ready. At last, when faced with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get my foot in the door and contribute to one of my favorite gaming franchises, I still didn't have an easy time making the choice. That's because, in case it hasn't been abundantly clear, I love this job."

　　GameSpot wishes Greg the best of luck in his new career.

　　TUESDAY

　　Research firm: 75 million PS3s sold by 2010

　　Capcom goes Hollywood

　　Mobile Halo developer sues Microsoft

　　Stamper brothers leave Rare

　　Crackdown to include Halo 3 Beta keys

　　WEDNESDAY

　　Capcom exec leaves to join Rockstar

　　New Halo 3 beta entry paths revealed

　　Head of Human Head leaves studio

　　Madden game reveals porn surprise

　　Greg Kasavin bids GameSpot farewell

　　THURSDAY

　　GameStop touts $1.7 billion in holiday sales

　　It's Showtime for gaming

　　Analyst projects December game sales up 5 percent

　　Study: Activity-based games fight obesity

　　Analyst: Don't expect Bully 2

　　FRIDAY

　　GamePro Expo is E for All

　　Oblivion expansion revealed

　　Boy killed unplugging Game Boy

　　Germany cracks down on Crackdown

　　GripShift, Jumping Flash! now on PS3 store

　　RUMORS OF THE WEEK

　　HDMI 360s with larger hard drives on the way?

　　Xbox 360 official winner of next-gen holiday sales?

　　CHARTS

　　PC game charts: December 17-23

　　UK game charts: December 24 to January 2